Fact Check: Did MGM Grand cancel Jimmy Kimmel’s residency after Trump’s boycott call?
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: Amid President Donald Trump’s call for ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel following a joke on First Lady Melania Trump, a rumor has been circulating on social media platforms claiming that MGM Grand has cancelled the late-night show host’s residency. Let us analyse the claim and fact-check the viral rumor.
Claim: MGM Grand cancelled Jimmy Kimmel's residency
According to the viral claim, Las Vegas' MGM Grand canceled Jimmy Kimmel's summer residency following Trump's request for a full boycott of the comedian.
A Facebook post that amplified the claim stated, "The MGM Grand in Las Vegas has canceled Jimmy Kimmel's summer residency after the President and First Lady called for a full boycott of the 'comedian.'"
"That contract won't be renewed," said MGM Entertainment Director Joseph Barron, according to the viral post, "Mr. Kimmel will need to find a new home for his summer gig."
While many users believed the claim, a few others remained skeptical.
Fact Check: The claim originated as a satire
However, there is no credible evidence or reports about Kimmel losing a residency at the MGM Grand. If the claim were true, it would have been widely covered by prominent news media outlets.
A Google search for the claim revealed that Kimmel never had a residency scheduled at the hotel, and his name was attached to a comedy club at the LINQ Hotel and Casino.
Although both Donald and Melania Trump called for the ABC television network to fire Kimmel, they didn't mention a boycott.
Moreover, the claim originated from a Facebook parody account called ‘America’s Last Line of Defense’ which describes itself as ‘Nothing on this page is real.’
Donald Trump renews call to fire Jimmy Kimmel
The claim spread following the president and the first lady’s social media posts, calling for Kimmel to be fired, in response to a joke he made about Melania Trump during his show on April 23.
Trump’s criticism came in a strongly worded post on Truth Social.
“When is ABC Fake News Network firing seriously unfunny Jimmy Kimmel, who incompetently presides over one of the Lowest Rated shows on Television?” Trump wrote.
“People are angry. It better be soon!!! President DJT”
The remark marked his most direct demand yet for the network to act against the late-night host. This is not the first time that Trump has demanded Jimmy Kimmel's firing from ABC Network.
